Van Gogh All-Nighter

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Tickets on sale January 17th

If you put off seeing the sellout exhibition Van Gogh : Poets & Lovers, the National Gallery will release a special set of night-time tickets for the final weekend when the Gallery will be open 24 hours (9 pm January 17 - 10 am January 18).

This is only the second time the Gallery has been open overnight in its 200-year history - the first was Leonardo da Vinci : Painter at the Court of Milan in 2012.

The Van Gogh exhibit is the third most popular exhibition in the National Gallery’s history, with here 280K+ people since it opened in September 2024.

It is the Gallery's first exhibition devoted to Van Gogh and the only one to focus on the artist’s transformation during his time in Arles and Saint-Rémy and features 60+ works of Van Gogh's most beloved drawings and paintings, as well as rarely seen works from museums and private collections from around the world.

Tip : Limited number of Member Tickets available for late and overnight opening hours www.nationalgallery.org.uk ✆ +44 2077 472885
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN

See it Live in 2025

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Top theatre starting at £10
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Previously known as Get Into London Theatre and The New Year Sale, See it Live in 2025 offers top theatre tickets for £10, £20, £30, £40, £50 & £60. Book tickets for select performances by January 31, 2025.  Ones not to miss:

Longest running shows . . .
  • Mouse Trap (£30, £40, £50, £60) — 73 years and counting
  • Les Miserables (£30, £50, £60) — Over 15,000 shows

Global award-winning . . .
  • Matilda : The Musical (£30, £40, £50, £60) — 100+ global awards, 13+ year West End run
  • Wicked (£30, £40, £50, £60) — 100+ global awards, 10th longest-running production in West End history
Great musical artists . . .
    • MJ : The Musical (£50, £60) — Tony Award-winning new musical
    • Tina : The Tina Turner Musical (£30) — Five years on the West End presented in association with Tina Turner

    From the movies . . .  
    • Back to the Future : The Musical (£30, £40, £50, £60) — Olivier Award winner 2022 Best New Musical
    • Disney's The Lion King (£30, £40, £5-) — Award-winning musical in its 23rd year
    For music lovers . . .
    • The Choir of Man (£20, £30, £40, £60) — Olivier Award-nominated show transfers to West End March 12, 2025
    • The Curious Incident of Benjamin Button (£20, £30, £40, £50l £60) — Winner Best Musical Production 2024 Off West End Awards
    Longest running comedy . . .
        • The Play that Goes Wrong (£30, £40, £50, £60) — 11-year West End run
        Original cast returns . . .
            • Hadestown (£20, £30, £40, £50, £60) — Original cast members from Broadway and National Theatre return for a limited run February 11 - March 5, 2025
            Be the first to see . . .
                • 101 Dalmatians (£30, £40, £50, £60) — Limited 6-week run July 17 - August 30, 2025)
                • Clueless : The Musical (£50, £60) — February 15 - June 14, 2025
                Tip #1: If you are local and have some flexibility timing wise, you may be able to select comparable (or even better prices via TodayTix or TKTS apps closer to date.

                Tip #2 :  Use Seat Plan or Which Seats to checkout reviews and view from fellow theatre patrons (restricted view seats can be worth the the discounted price)

                Book now before the promotion ends January 31st!

                Best of 2024, Part II

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                Top 10 posts — Part II

                The best of the best from 2024

                5. Stylish Shops & Tea — London's oldest shopping arcades
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/05/stylish-shops-tea.html

                4. Hampton Court Riverside Tea — Two options within walking distance of Hampton Court
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/06/hampton-court-riverside-tea.html

                3. Kew Gardens bloom — A World Heritage Site and one of London's top attractions that is home to over 50,000 plants
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/04/kew-garden-blooms.html

                2. 10 Must-see shows — Catch these during Official London Theatre Sale, one of London's longest-running promotions for top London shows
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/01/10-must-see-shows.html
                1. Top Bonfire Nights                 — Three top ones taking place over the weekend and the day of
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/10/top-bonfire-night-fireworks.html




                More to come in 2025!

                Best of 2024

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                Top 10 posts — Part I

                Themed events were particularly popular this past year— it's not too early to mark your diary for 2025:

                10. Wimbledon Walk — Sampling of stops to make, including this year's standout shops
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/07/wimbledon-walk.html
                9. Kids Eat Free Half-Term — . . . and beyond
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/01/kids-eat-free-half-term.html
                8. London Theatre Week — £15-£35 tickets for over 60 shows
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/03/london-theatre-week.html

                7. London Cocktail Week — Features signature cocktails for £8 at 200+ venues
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/09/london-cocktail-week.html

                6. International Chocolate Day — 7 of the best chocolatiers in London and Surrey
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/08/international-chocolate-day.html



                Best of 2023 — Part II will feature the best of the best from 2024.

                Seasonal Gifts

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                Starting at £5

                Whether you are looking for an affordable stocking stuffer or a gift that adds to the season, here are some top picks:

                M&S Scottish Chocolate Chip Shortbread Biscuit Tin (£5) — All-butter shortbread squares with dark chocolate chips in a decorative British Union Jack flag tin.


                Liberty of London Chocolate Coin (£6.95) — Giant chocolate coins for kids and kids at heart!




                Liberty of London Ornament (£8.95) — Glass ornament featuring iconic London landmarks.




                M&S Jaffa Cake Clock (£11) — Tin includes bite-sized dark chocolate orange Jaffa Cakes and features a Lid with a working clock.

                Alison Gardiner Palace of Westminster Puzzle (£12.92) — Palace of Westminster Christmas scene adorns this 1000-piece puzzle.
                Clementine Gin Liqueur Snow Globe (£21) — Snow globe filled with clementine flavored gin liqueur with edible gold leaf.
                Silent Pool Gin (£42.50) — Handcrafted English gin with 24 botanicals from the Surrey Hills.

                Add-On : Pair with a rose gold wireless bottle lamp so it can become a table lamp after the gin is finished.

                Give early so they can be enjoyed during the season and beyond!

                Festive Advent Calendars

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                Something for everyone on your list

                With a week less between Thanksgiving (for those that celebrate) and Christmas, the holidays seem to be coming up much more quickly than usual.  Not to mention, Advent calendars have been on display beginning in early October. Stock up now for everyone on your list:

                Lindt (£7) — A piece of milk chocolate behind each window — 24 in total.


                Cadbury HEROES (£7.50) — Features miniature bites include Cadbury Dairy Milk, Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel, aCreme Egg Twisted, Eclair, Fudge, Twirl, Wispa and a milk chocolate mini Santa. 
                Pukka Tea (£11.45) — Assortment of 24 black and green teas and infusions.




                Ferraro Collection (£15) — Selection of 24 gourmet chocolate including coconut, dark, hazelnut and milk chocolates.


                Baylis & Harding (£33) — 12 days of pamper products, including bath bubbles, lotions, soak crystals, soap and shower wash and more.




                Liberty of London Chocolate Advent Calendar (£34.95) — Selection of caramels, chocolates and pralines by Charbonnel et Walker one of Britain's first and finest chocolatiers.



                Or if you want to go all out . . . . 
                Liberty of London Beauty Advent Calendar (£260) — Worth over £1,205, it features 28 products, including 18 full-sized items from some of the best brands in fragrance, hair, makeup and skincare.

                Liberty of London Men's Advent Calendar (£245) — Worth over £700, it complements Liberty's Beauty Advent Calendar and features 25 products, including 14 full-sized items for men's grooming needs.

                Head to the shops or shop on-line before they are gone!

                Top Bonfire Night Fireworks

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                With                 Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Day) falling on Tuesday, November 5th this year, some of the major fireworks displays are taking place this weekend in London. The top ones include:

                Alexandra Palace — Considered the 'Glastonbury of Fireworks' the Fireworks Festival will take place Friday, November 1st (gates open 6 pm) and Saturday, November 2nd (gates open 4 pm). In addition to fireworks, the festival includes a bonfire, family area, DJ / live music, German bier festival and more. 
                Tickets: From £5.50, Child £6.
                www.fireworks.london ✆ +44 2083 652121
                Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY

                Battersea Park — While tickets are sold out Saturday, November 2nd, there are still tickets available for one of the biggest fireworks displays in London on Sunday, November 3rd for Battersea Park Fireworks.  The 'Family Fireworks Night' includes family-focused entertainment and fairground rides.
                Tickets: Adult £13.10, Youth (5-15) £8.80
                www.batterseaparkfireworks.com ✆ +44 2039 590015
                Albert Bridge Road, London SW11 4NJ

                Morden Park & Wimbledon Park — The Musical Fireworks Displays takes place Saturday, November 2nd (Morden Park) and Tuesday, November 5th (Wimbledon Park).  Both events include fun fair, food stalls and two different fireworks displays in one night (6;45 pm, suitable for young children and 8:30 pm).
                Tickets: Adult £13.78, Juniors (5-15) £10.07, Family £40.28 (2 adults, 2 juniors)
                www.merton.gov.uk ✆ +44 2034 41168
                Morden Hall Road, Morden, London SM4 5JD
                Home Park Road, London SW19 8AU

                Between Halloween and Bonfire Night falling during October half-term, there is no shortage of fun for everyone!